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Courts & Courses: Seasonal visitors can find perfect ‘match’

Beach & Tennis Club Director Phil Milford made sure that Thres and Chris Verdegaal enjoyed plenty of court time during their one-month stay in Bonita Springs.
(Photo:
Randy Kambic/Special to Coastal Life
)

Phil Milford III enjoys being a matchmaker. He doesn’t arrange potentially romantic encounters — the director of the Beach and Tennis Club in Bonita Springs finds tennis partners for short-term visitors, especially during season.

In addition to conducting leagues, tournaments, clinics, lessons and social events for members, Milford provides a special concierge service for others to get some swings during their short nearby stays. Located where Bonita Beach Road blends with Hickory/Estero Boulevard with the beach beckoning across the street plus the entrance to Barefoot Beach, the club’s 10 clay courts comprise an idyllic spot that’s also near onsite high rises plus many houses and communities, including Bonita Village and Beach Walk, that cater extensively to one-, two-week and monthly renters.

“I get calls and emails from around the country and the world,” Milford said, often from repeat visitors, word-of-mouth plus first-time vacationers that drive by. After finding out ability levels, how (singles or doubles) and how much visitors want to play, he checks, provides options and then makes arrangements based on decisions, all for a small fee.

Recently, he matched a 17-year-old son of a Canadian family looking for high-level singles play with two separate club members. Also, after considering a doubles opportunity that Milford researched, a married couple opted to hit just among themselves a few times during their one week in paradise.

“We have many men’s and women’s doubles groups at various levels; we can usually get someone new some action as a regular might be out of town or doesn’t mind taking a day or two off,” he said. “Things have a way of working out.”

After visiting for one week in one of the Beach and Tennis Club’s condos three years ago, Chris and Thres Verdegaal of Hampstead, N.C. upped their stays to one month the last two years, including last month. “The combination of tennis on one side and the beach on the other is certainly appealing,” said Chris, a semi-retired horticultural salesman. “We play in leagues back home. So, for both of us to be able to play doubles with comparable players thanks to Phil was great,” adding they were also able to have their own court a few times as well.

The couple, which also enjoys biking and kayaking in our area, hopes to stay two months next year, added Thres.

Milford, a Punta Gorda native who played tennis for Charlotte High School, won a conference singles title while attending Austin Peay State University (Tennessee) and was the director of tennis for the Isle of Islamorada Village before joining the Bonita club in 2007. His concierge service is gratifying; he received a thank you email from the Verdegaals upon their return home.

“It’s what it’s all about,” added the 15-year USPTA Professional who earned Elite-level certification on the East Coast last month. “Making sure people have the best possible time in our area. Besides, our members really enjoy meeting new people.”

Beyond the Gates: PGA legend Fuzzy Zoeller gave an hour-long exhibition for approximately 80 members and guests of the Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club plus attended a reception on Feb. 19 benefiting the First Tee youth instructional program. The winner of 10 PGA Tour events, including the Masters and U.S. Open, hit numerous irons and wedges while providing many expert tips including how to affect spin, slicing or fading plus general advice, like “Lighten up on your grip so you can swing more smoothly.” He also shared entertaining anecdotes and reflections on his stellar career. On the First Tee program, Zoeller said, “Golf can give back to kids and this does it both here and around the country.” Miromar Lakes’ PGA Director of Golf and Membership Ken McMaster, a member of the First Tee/Lee County Chapter Advisory Board, added that the program “helps bring together education, learning life skills and golf that all complement each other.” Six-week, year-round sessions are provided for children of all ability levels, and equipment and scholarships are also available. The award-winning private resort-style community includes our area’s sole Arthur Hills’ “signature” championship golf course and seven Har-Tru tennis courts.